Syndicate Sound Session 006 absolutely kicked butt and chewed bubblegum. Strong metaphors and high praise. It is well-deserved for Suburban Sound Syndicate’s first episode of the year that took place on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Rookie’s Rochaus. A community effort ensured it was all good in the hood, or rather the suburbs, where the bass was beautifully bumpin’ into the early morning! Put some respect on it, bruv!!! These Cairo Approved kit-kats have got the gall and the goods to organize one heckuva great time. What happened? I got you on some highlights, my friend. Just let me throw in some Big League Chew, real quick.

Preparation for this shindig started at 8AM the day of. A Funktion-One rig courtesy of Sub Valley Sound, LED wall provided through Nuvotion, not to mention vendors the likes of EVOL, Nomadiknymph, and WeMakeThings3D setting up tables alongside others to display their wares for eager onlookers throughout the main floor and balcony space. Josh Melfi constructed a glowing ‘Mushroom Forest’ on the second story gallery. Multi-colored strings ran across the ceiling adorned with many of his favored 3D printed shapes, plus a couple of stuffed Teddy Bears caught in this lively webbing. Cuddly. There was even a hammock encouraging folks to relax in its embrace. Lay back and let electronic notes soothe your soul. More than several couples took advantage of the intimate outlook it afforded. All this effort ensured Syndicate Sound Session 006 would be the best episode yet. Without a doubt, it was! Thanks to all the hard work beforehand, talented artists dominated the stage without any issues at all.

Performances impressed throughout the night. From the opening act of Zonik all the way through to kLL sMTH, every artist brough their best in displaying different arenas of discipline. From traditional mixing specialists like Freddy Todd, who was gratuitously gangster on the decks, all the way through to the likes of instrumental virtuoso Starfox representing brass and bass. During the evening’s entertainment, a wide array of techniques was presented. Whatever flavor of sound eager ears desire, Suburban Sound Syndicate provides.

August Sky was an early act that impressed many by providing funky and groovy beats utilizing his homegrown talents for guitar, keyboard, and mixing. Furthermore, he supplied some of his own self-recorded visual sequences. It made for an organic presentation that set an early tempo for what else the night held in store. He thanked those who came out in support and graciously demonstrated his brilliant craft for live electronic instrumentalism. Electromentalism? Ha, I might have just created a brand-new term in describing electronica, or mayhaps musical wizardry aligned with mental prowess.

Blue Future and Miles Deep of Cheese House Records both provided exciting sets that continued to juice the energy of the swelling crowd. I must say, I love the name Miles Deep. It conjures images of a deepening ocean of sound. His depth, like his tastes, continually expanding. The performance was heavy and hard, and one would be right to admire his investment of energy.

Blue Future, aka Jeremy Olson, is a homie to many within Suburban Sound Syndicate and delighted not only in performing, but also in witnessing the action amongst longtime friends. His set was fresh, fun, and featured a gaggle of tracks off his latest album, New Blue Future. He even brought his guitar for some bass and blues shredding to delight and enthrall his audience. Well played, Blue Future. Well played, indeed.

When kLL sMTH took the stage, it was a showcase of his duality. On the one hand, this industry legend is well known for enthusiastic and energetic sets. However, he’s also a fairly chill and laid-back fella when one finds themselves in his presence. He knows there’s more than one avenue to travel to get to where one wants to arrive. He started his performance as cHLL sMTH before switching gears and precipitously upping the intensity. By the end, he was blasting bangers and bass to my own delight. kLL sMTH kept on going past his 130AM end time. He gave the audience everything, and more, that they had come for.

Throughout this engagement, the talented mavens of Celestial Embers Collective complemented the action on stage. Kataya, along with her delicious cadre of dancers, excited onlookers through deft, graceful, and practiced movements. Fashionistas, too. Each of the ladies donned several different sets of attire throughout the evening. It wasn’t a fashion show, but they benevolently contributed additional elements of artistry and beauty towards an already amazing event. Oh, and rjriot handled six hoops simultaneously. Yup! I can safely say, I’ve never seen that before. Ever.

Aaand the whole pack of Big League Chew is now gone. ‘Ground Ball Grape’, yummy. There’s supposed to be twenty servings to a bag, somehow eight strands are a single piece, and I took the whole freaking thing down in five pulls. Oh, Bear, whatever will we do with you? Terrible gum, great candy, my nemesis… anyway, There’s more Suburban Sound Syndicate concerts oncoming, and that’s honestly one of my favorite flavors, man. Dope music, great presentation, and a wholesome community to enjoy it with. What more could one want?

The next sound session is slated for February 22. Headlined by Random Rab and Rhizomorhphic, episode 007 is set to take place at Bass Station in Waukegan, IL. If there’s one thing our growing community has found at Syndicate Sound Sessions, every element of entertainment and production is achieved to the highest degree. Big league performances from all involved. Well done, chaps. Cheers, and keep kickin’ ass.

Sign up for the Suburban Sound Syndicate newsletter to keep up to date on news and what’s upcoming. Plus, you’ll always be notified when tickets drop for an event so you can grab those early bird discounts. Come find the Bear, we’ll write a haiku. Dang. I’m all out of bubblegum, babe.

Be well, be successful. Bear Swiftly.

--Electro Scribe--